to craft a deal to avert looming tax hikes and spending cuts. with most of the hoist members on vacation until sunday night, no plan in sight. how much can actually be accomplished. susan fereccio joins us now. chief congressional correspondent for the "washington examiner". we're seeing dianne feinstein there on the senate floor. it is vacant on the house side. so in truth how much is really going to get done? >> well, gregg, a lot of this negotiations are really taking place between the leadership levels right now. we don't really have to worry about what is happening on the house floor. it's about what is going on at the white house. now, the president today is going to meet with congressional leaders from both parties, both chambers. they will sit down. they will talk about a potential deal. the president might offer something that maybe the republicans could go for. it wouldn't be a sweeping deal. gregg: like what? >> might be something smaller. well, it would be something that could potentially avoid the major tax hikes coming in january.